Free from Captivity

Truly the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Psalm 33:18 NRSV

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.... O fear the Lord, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want. Psalm 34:7, 9 NRSV

I suppose that the fear of God was deeply instilled in those who were freed from captivity in Egypt. Just think of what happened as they escaped! First (well, after all the other strange happenings) there was the death of the first born, then God parted the waters for the Israelites but the army and chariots of Pharaoh were destroyed in the same waters. This was a powerful God that had given them deliverance. They were delivered from death and are being kept alive in the desert - even when there is nothing out there to eat. And the angel of God surrounds them and makes sure they have what they need - protection, food and water. This was an incredibly powerful God that could truly bring destruction on whomever was against this God. Fear seems a pretty logical emotion in this circumstance and many of the psalms give voice to this fear.

What kinds of things has God done in your life? Has God freed you in any way from anything that was holding you captive? What remarkable circumstances have kept you safe in your life? Can you truly say God was not a part of any of them? Do any of God's actions in and around your life make you fear God? Or do you find yourself feeling some other emotion toward God?

God, you free us from captivity of all kinds. You encamp around us even when we least realize it. You provide for us in our greatest need. Thank you, God! In Jesus' name. Amen.


Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims